Skopelos Olive Mill Museum – Antoniou Family Skopelos

Local Products of Skopelos

The Olive Oil Tree

The olive tree appeared around 7000 years ago in the Mediterranean region. The olive fruit has always been associated with the Mediterranean people and their way of life.

In Greece in particular, the olive has been considered a blessed fruit since ancient times. Greeks love and respect the olive tree, as an integral part of Greek culture and tradition, but also as a global symbol of peace.

Olive trees blossom at the end of spring. The olive harvesting process lasts from the end of September to the end of February, depending on the olive’s variety.

The Olive Tree in Greek Mythology

Athens, the capital of Greece, was named after the ancient goddess Athena. In fact, as we learn from mythology, there was an intense conflict between the goddess of wisdom, Athena, and the god of the sea, Poseidon. In particular, both gods claimed the city. So they decided to let the people choose who would be the final protector of the city. Athena offered an olive tree, while Poseidon offered a spring. The olive tree prevailed as it was considered the supreme symbol of wisdom, knowledge, power, and abundance.

In ancient times, Olympic champions were crowned with a wreath made from an olive branch called a “cotinus”. To this day, the symbol of the olive tree is still prominent in the Olympic Games.

The Olive Mills Today

Back in our days, the olive tree continued to have its glamour. Olive fruit and its derivatives are indispensable in our daily diet. All experts stress the importance of the nutrients that the olive offers. The Mediterranean area, especially Greece, remains the number one place of production of extra virgin olive oil. The lush Skopelos island is a blessed place with agricultural production. The olive oil and olives of Skopelos are goods that are not only produced on the island but also exported.

On the island of Skopelos exists a state-of-the-art olive press of the Antoniou family with a history and tradition of more than a century.

Antoniou Family

The Antoniou family is a traditional family-owned company, located in Glossa Village of Skopelos Island. It has been operating the traditional olive mill since 1890. The creative journey of the company was started by the family’s great-grandfather, George I. Antoniou, in 1890. In those years, there was a traditional olive press, and the means was the classic stone mill and the help of animals.

The journey continued with Grandfather John C. Antoniou. He followed the evolution of the times and applied new methods and means, such as hydraulic presses and centrifugal machines. Today, the Antoniou family, with respect to tradition and many years of experience in the industry, has modern facilities in Glossa, Skopelos.

The main concern of the company is the production, selection, and standardization of extra virgin olive oil of excellent quality. The olive oil should always contain rich nutrients, and keep the perfect aroma and the unique fruity taste that only fresh and healthy olive fruit offers. The area of the traditional olive groves is 60 acres in total, and they are located in the northwest of Skopelos and around the village of Glossa at an altitude of 250m. For the production of olive oil in the Antoniou Family, olives of the Amfissi and Koroneiki varieties are used.

Olive Mill Museum

The Antoniou Family offers something more than just extra virgin olive oil. They offer the experience of olive oil production, what is behind the olive oil bottles we all enjoy.

For those who are interested to learn more about the history of Olive Oil in Skopelos, the Antoniou Family has collected all the historical data in an area of 1000 sq.m inside its property. The museum of the olive press, as well as the factory, is open all year. However, the tours are organized on request. The tour of the Antoniou Family Olive Oil Mill Museum is a time travel through the history of olive oil production. From the time when they used stones and farm animals, mills, and presses to the present day, where they use ultra-modern centrifugal machines.

Visitors can learn all about the olive tree and the entire olive oil production process, from the olive harvest to the final bottling of the olive oil. The tour is guided by an audio guide, videos, photos, and, of course, a tour of the exhibits that the family has on display. The machinery of the traditional family olive mill and other items used in the production process of olive oil from antiquity to around the 1950s. Undoubtedly, this short stop at the Olive Oil Museum of the Antoniou Family is worth the visit. Olive Mill, Olive Oil Museum, Olive Food Products Tasting, Olive Oil Shop, and Olive Wood products all in one place!